REFLECTIONS

Republicans and tea party members seem to want smaller government and say protectionism, such as unions and government, makes workers weak and competition makes them strong.

Isn’t that like saying scratching for water in the desert is better for you than getting together and drilling a well? Republicans would probably be OK with water wells as long as they are drilled by a private company making a profit from those hiring the well driller, and the poor would get little water from the well. Surely Republicans know that in reality the government is the people. And people collectively meet their needs instead of seeking a private company to do it for them. The people are empowered by collectively working together.

When a few tea party representatives in the House of Representatives can shutdown government, they are not doing the will of the majority representing the people. In fact, they are harming many thousands of people. Surely that is wrong.